rs he walked over
there to the old place and tore 'em open. Maybe----"

There was no need for the man to go on. Allen had already left the
apartment and was hurrying across the road to what had in former days
been the only house in the section.

It was a rude affair, now half fallen into decay. Outside, under the
overhanging logs of the roof, was situated a bench sometimes used by
travelers as a resting place. Here many a yarn had been told, and many a
"hoss deal" talked over and closed.

Straight to the bench went Allen, and in the fading light looked eagerly
on all sides for bits of paper of any kind. He found a great number and
gathered them all into his empty dinner pouch. When he was sure there
were no more scraps in the vicinity he returned to the house.

"Well, what have you?" asked Noel Urner, with interest.

"I have nearly fifty scraps of letters," said Allen. "I must look them
over at once."

A lamp was lit, and, spreading out the scraps on a large, flat board,
Allen set to work to sort out the various pieces. It was tedious work
and Noel Urner assisted him.

Suddenly the young ranchman uttered a low cry.

"Look! Here is part of a letter that was addressed to me," he said.

And he held up a scrap which bore the words: "--you and Chet can meet me
and Paul----"

"Is it in your uncle's handwriting?" questioned the young man from the
east.

"Yes."

"Then it would seem as if some one had stolen your letter, certainly."

"That's just what was done!" ejaculated Allen. "I wonder----" he stopped
short.

"What do you wonder?"

"I wonder if Captain Grady had anything to do with Uncle Barnaby's
disappearance."

"The cap'n air a slick one," put in Daddy Wampole. "I never liked him
from the day I fust sot eyes onto him. An' seem' as how he's achin' ter
git thet ranch from ye boys, why, it ain't surprisin' he took thet
letter and would do more, if 'twas fer his own benefit."

"It won't be for his benefit if I find he is playing such an underhand
game," rejoined Allen, grimly. The thought that Captain Grady had stolen
his letter angered him thoroughly. "He fancies that we are only three
boys, but he'll find out that even boys can do something when they are
put to it."

"It's a pity you didn't find the rest of the letter," observed Noel
Urner. "No doubt that letter was of great importance. It might be best
to hunt up this Captain Grady and learn the truth from him before we
push further for the railroa